Natalie Cassidy's ex-fiance banned from contact

Natalie Cassidy's former fiance Adam Cottrell has been banned from contacting her directly for two years after being found guilty of assaulting the actress

Natalie Cassidy's ex-fiance has been banned from contacting her for two years.

Adam Cottrell escaped jail time but was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 120 hours of unpaid work at East Hertfordshire Magistrates' Court yesterday (21.06.11) after he was found guilty of smearing mascara over the actress and beating her with a slipper.

The 31-year-old transport manager also admitted grabbing Natalie, 28, by the arms in the drunken attack at their flat in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and two days later he caused damage worth £350 when he trashed the microwave, wine glasses and a candelabra in their home.

Adam - who has a nine-month-old daughter Eliza Beatrice with the actress - has been told he can only contact Natalie through her sister-in-law in order to protect her from "harassment and fear of violence".

Natalie's father has previously claimed she had been subjected to months of abuse at the hands of Adam.

Charles Cassidy said: "It's been going on for months now, bubbling up. No one wants to see their daughter get into that sort of situation.

"I'm not angry, I'm just worried for my granddaughter. She's the most lovely baby, really happy."